18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 207

Jasper didn't dodge the question, musing, “Next time you have class, you can hang out with them for, say, half an hour. Is that alright?”

Rosie's eyes sparkled, “Thank you!”

“While hanging out, don't mention anything about our home life, especially anything about food and shelter. If they keep prying or intentionally steer the conversation that way, cut ties with them immediately.”

Rosie nodded, “I understand, Jasper.”

Then they got ready for dinner.

It was too easy to get heatstroke in this weather, so Stella had prepared some mint lemonade, a chilled cucumber and watermelon salad, barbecue pork ribs, and green leafy vegetables. Everything was prepared beforehand, no need to fire up the stove.

Jasper only worked half a day, and he would rest at home in the afternoon.

During lunch, he started a conversation, “From what I observed today, apart from their lack of skills, they seem pretty friendly and united.”

Stella agreed, “Their current state is largely because of Mark's efforts.”

If everything went well, this could be their new home.

When they woke up around three, they discussed and made a list of things they needed at home.

Stella planned to visit the trading street in the evening to collect as many of the items as possible.

The mention of trading made her think of Monkey and Austin.

Monkey was always on the road, and the tsunami had come so suddenly. She wondered if he had been at the beach in Swan Hill when it happened.

As for Austin, they had arranged to meet at ten, so he was more likely to have been at the beach. What were the chances of survival if they had been caught in the tsunami?

Stella felt a pang of sadness. If it weren't for Austin's help, she wouldn't have been able to expand her Arcadia so quickly. But that was the harsh reality of the apocalypse. Friends or family could be perfectly fine one second, and gone the next.

When the sun set, Stella decided to venture out.

Jasper was worried, “Should I come with you?”

Stella knew she could handle herself, and thought it was unnecessary, “It's not far from here to the trading street. I can get there on my mountain bike in less than an hour. You just rest at home.”

Although he said he would rest, he still had to train Cooper, and teach Rosie to read and write.

Jasper escorted her downstairs, “Be careful.”

“Don't worry. If I can't fight them, I'll just run.” She hopped onto her mountain bike and waved goodbye.

It was about six miles to the trading street. Despite wearing her thermoregulatory clothing, the heat was still intense, but not to the point of heatstroke. However, as the sun set, danger began to emerge.

Suddenly, two men sprang out from behind a tree, raising their sticks and aiming for Stella's back.

If she hadn't noticed this, she would have lived her life in vain.

Stella suddenly pedaled hard on her mountain bike. The attackers missed their target, almost causing them to trip and fall.

Seeing that she wasn’t pedaling fast, the two men, unwilling to give up, started to chase her.

Mikey's mountain bike was of good quality. Stella pedaled at varying speeds with ease, not knowing that her pursuers were panting heavily behind her.

Even after sunset, the heat was still unbearable for ordinary people, like frying in a pan. One of the men collapsed during the chase. Stella had no idea if he got up again or not, but he didn't chase her anymore.

When she arrived at the trading street, it was already completely dark. As expected, there were many more people. It was a good thing she hadn't come in her Hummer, which would have attracted too much attention.

Stella walked to a secluded corner and, under the cover of darkness, put her bike away in her Arcadia.